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Help with labels, matches and prices
Quick answers about reading oil bottles, choosing for your car and how prices work. OilClub compares oils and prices. It doesn't sell oil, and your owner's manual always has the final say.
1
Reading oil labels
The grade describes how thick the oil is, not its quality. 5W is how easily it flows on a cold start (W means winter). 30 is how thick it stays once the engine is hot. Two oils can both be 5W-30 and still suit different engines, so the grade alone is never enough.
They are industry quality classes. ACEA (like C3 or A3/B4) is used for most European cars, API (like SP) mainly for American and Asian ones. They say what an oil can do, for example protect a particulate filter.
A class like ACEA C3 is a general standard. A maker approval like VW 504 00 or BMW LL-04 means the car maker tested and approved that oil. If your car asks for a maker approval, the class alone isn't enough.
On the back label, usually in a list under "Approvals" or "Meets the requirements of". Look for the exact code your car needs, for example "VW 504 00".
2
Choosing for your car
Car makers publish which approval and grade each engine needs. The Product Finder matches your make, model and engine to that list and shows only oils that carry it.
Your owner's manual, for your exact engine. Caps and stickers can be generic or out of date.
We don't recommend it, so OilClub never lists those oils for your car. Only oils that carry the approval your car needs are shown.
Most petrol cars take 4 to 5 litres. The exact amount is in your owner's manual under "capacities". OilClub shows the cost for a typical change next to each oil.
3
Prices, buying and corrections
No. OilClub compares prices and links you to the shop that sells the oil. Some links may earn OilClub a small commission. That never changes the order: only the approval and the price per litre do.
Packs come in 1, 4, 5 and 20 litres. Dividing by litres is the only fair way to compare them.
Shops change prices and add delivery costs. The shop's price at checkout is the one that counts. If it's very different, tell us and we'll check it.
Use the contact form on the About page. Pick "Report a wrong price or link" and add the oil's name.